Mets: Dellin Betances is an ideal safety net in case Edwin Diaz implodes again

Dellin Betances gives the New York Mets a clear and obvious option for the ninth inning if Edwin Diaz fizzles again in 2020.

Only hours after I dug deep into the New York Mets bullpen, scouted their minor leagues, and looked at other options out there via trade and free agency, the team solved one of the biggest problems it had. By signing Dellin Betances, the Mets now have an obvious safety net in case Edwin Diaz implodes again.

There won’t be any talk of whether or not Seth Lugo can close. We won’t analyze why Justin Wilson is better suited as a setup man or should get used in high-leverage situations versus tough lefties. I also won’t have to put together some kind of half-hearted attempt to persuade anyone into believing Brad Brach could work as a closer in a limited capacity.

Nope. I hit the delete button on all of those thoughts. The Betances signing changes everything.

More from Rising Apple

• NY Mets News: Marcus Stroman sees “potential fit” with the Angels
• NY Mets were too “seek” and not enough “destroy” last winter
• NY Mets: 1 trade target to consider from each 100-loss team
• NY Mets: Top 12 free agents the team should look to sign this winter
• NY Mets: Jeff Wilpon’s legacy continues to plague the Amazins

Although there are some questions about Betances’ health, it was an obvious move the team had to make. The 2019 bullpen was remarkably bad and this addition makes it look much more promising.

Perhaps the best non-closer to come out of the bullpen in the 2010s, Betances is someone who could certainly finish off a game. He did so 36 times during his career with the New York Yankees, most often in 2016 after the team traded Aroldis Chapman away.

Betances brings a career 2.36 ERA with him to Flushing from The Bronx. A strikeout rate of 14.6 per nine over 381.2 innings pitched should make us all forget about the team potentially targeting Josh Hader via trade.

The Mets now have their late-inning reliever who can hold down the fort when all hope seems lost. His name is Betances.

Mets fans are fortunate enough to have familiarity with Betances because of his achievements in the same city. We don’t have to worry about the pressures of New York getting to him. The man grew up in Brooklyn. He was born to shine in the Big Apple. At least for 2020, he’ll have an opportunity to do so in a new borough.

The Mets bullpen hasn’t changed much from the end of 2019. All of the notable names are coming back. Betances will join them as will Michael Wacha—a man who hopes to earn his way back into the rotation.

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

Things should work out better for the Mets in 2020 with these improvements. If two months into the season Diaz loses his confidence again, we know exactly what glass to break in case of an emergency thanks to this deal with Betances.